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About Heppner gazette-times. (Heppner, Or.) 1925-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 19, 2025)
SIX - Heppner Gazette-Times, Heppner, Oregon Wednesday, February 19, 2025 Seniors honored during basketball game Several members of the Heppner High School Class of 2025 were honored with their families during last Friday’s home basketball game versus Irrigon. Pictured L-R: Martin Medina, Ob- dulia Medina, Wren McElligott, Aimeric McElligott, HHS Senior Marty Medina, Eric Orem, HHS Senior Mason Orem, Brandi Orem, Stephanie Spivey, HHS Senior Katie Spivey, Brian Spivey, Stephanie Hisler, HHS Senior Hallee Hisler, Shane Hisler, Kim Henrichs, HHS Senior Kadie Henrichs, Josh Henrichs, Josh Coiner, HHS Senior Jackson Coiner, Melissa Coiner, Chris Gallegos, HHS Senior Ivan Gallegos and Mystique Gallegos. -Contributed photo Morrow County Clean Water Consortium holds first two meetings -Continued from PAGE ONE and construction. Howev- construction and regulato- tured process to complete not just West Glen, but also the next project, and then the next, until all our citizens have been provid- ed access to clean water.” Second Meeting: Ad- vancing Grant Proposals and Selecting Projects During its second meeting, the MCCWC shifted focus to securing funding for infrastructure projects. With a looming February 23 deadline for a Congressional Direct- ed Spending (CDS) grant application, the board dis- cussed next steps, includ- ing confirming project el- igibility with the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) and Business Oregon, drafting letters of support from MCCWC, Morrow County, the Port of Mor- row, and other local stake- holders, and finalizing project scope and budget estimates. Funding Challenges and Project Selection The discussion cen- tered on the Safe Drink- ing Water Revolving Loan Fund, a federal grant pro- gram that provides funding for planning, preliminary engineering, final design, er, strict eligibility require- ments limit funding to public or privately owned community water systems. The consortium explored options to qualify for fund- ing, including creating a new water district and in- terconnecting existing sys- tems. After evaluating two main project options—ex- tending municipal water system connections or drilling new wells—the board unanimously select- ed Scenario One, which focuses on final planning and preliminary design for non-connection projects. This strategy prioritizes Area 3, near Boardman, and Area 5, near Irrigon, as both areas lack adequate municipal water connec- tions and are prime candi- dates for well drilling and independent water solu- tions. Budget Consider- ations and Technical Challenges Cost estimates for drilling test wells ranged from $500,000 to over $1 million per well, depend- ing on factors such as depth and hydrogeology, per- mitting requirements, and ry approval. To maximize funding opportunities, the board discussed requesting funds for two test wells, with the flexibility to scale back if necessary. Board Vote and Next Steps The board unanimous- ly voted to proceed with Scenario One, authorizing the grant writing team to submit the CDS applica- tion. Members also em- phasized the importance of community engagement, ensuring that rural resi- dents stay informed and involved in decision-mak- ing. Upcoming Priorities Submission of the CDS grant application by February 23, continued feasibility assessments and outreach to affected communities, formaliz- ing advisory committee roles, finalizing financial management for future projects, and the next MC- CWC meeting scheduled for early April. DEADLINE: MONDAYS AT 5PM WWW.HEPPNER.NET Submit News, Advertising & Announcements Letters To The Editor Send Us Photos Start A New Subscription Oregon Lawmakers urge OSAA to align with federal policy on women’s sports SALEM, OR – To- d a y, R e p r e s e n t a t i v e s Dwayne Yunker (R-Grants Pass), Boomer Wright (R-Reedsport), Darin Har- bick (R-Rainbow), Ed Die- hl (R-Stayton), E. Werner Reschke (R-Klamath Falls), and Gregory Smith (R-Hep- pner) sent a letter to Oregon School Activities Associa- tion (OSAA) President Pe- ter Weber requesting an im- mediate OSAA rule change to specify that girls’ high school sports participation is reserved for biological female athletes. Given the federal exec- utive order signed on Feb- ruary 5, 2025, to keep men out of women’s sports, and the NCAA policy change on February 6, 2025, restrict- ing women’s competition to biological females, Oregon legislators stress the need for OSAA to align with these national standards. “As sponsors of House Bill 2037, we are commit- ted to ensuring fairness in women’s athletics and protecting opportunities for female athletes,” said Rep- resentative Yunker. “With national policies now in place, OSAA must act to maintain a level playing field in Oregon high school sports.” “As a former teacher, principal, and superinten- dent, I know how strong and talented young wom- en in our schools are,” said Representative Wright. “We must stand up for women’s rights to privacy and fair competition by ensuring that men aren’t going into the women’s locker room and protecting women’s sports.” “As the 2012 1-A Ore- gon Girls Basketball Coach of the Year and past wom- en’s basketball coach at a small college, I will do everything I can to keep women’s sports fair and safe,” said Representative Harbick. “OSAA needs to act in keeping boys out of girls’ sports.” “Oregon needs to get boys out of girls’ sports,” said Representative Diehl. “The OSAA needs to act immediately and decisively. This is about protecting the dignity and safety of girls.” “It was wrong for the OSAA to crown a boy as state champion of the girl’s 200-meter race in 2024,” said Representative Re- schke. “The OSAA needs to immediately reverse its policy concerning boys competing in girl’s sports to protect the integrity of the sport and the dignity of female athletes.” “Women deserve to compete at the highest level of competition in a fair and safe environment, which is why this bill has my full support,” said Represen- tative Smith. “I hope to encourage and support all young women looking to compete athletically and make sure they are safe while doing so.” Gather25 is an unprecedented 25-hour global broadcast event telling the inspiring stories of the global Church, by the global Church. But it won’t be a gathering of the global Church without you. Ione Community Church will be hosting and streaming the Gather25 event. Please join us on February 28, 2025, from 5:00pm – 9:00pm and March 1, 2025 from 3:00pm – 6:00pm Gather25.com iccgather25@gmail.com Phone 541-422-7530 Les Schwab would like to wish the Mustangs good luck at districts this weekend! Pendelton Convention Center - February 21, 2025 Girls Heppner VS Weston McEwen - Friday 1:00 pm Boys Heppner VS Weston McEwen - Friday 7:45 pm Coach Jeremy Rosenbaum, Jackson Coiner, Marty Medina, Jace Wilson, Joseph Albitre, Mason Orem, Gage Heideman, Darby Spivey, Keaton Coiner, Tripp Stewart, Caylan Proudfoot, Caleb George, Alakae Rodriguez, Asst Coach Ken Grieb Coach Robert Wilson, Healy Hisler, Katie Spivey, Kadie Henrichs, Avree Lathrop, Hallee Hisler, Riley Archer, Isa Payne, Cici Stefani, Maya Payne, Delaney Stefani, Lily Nichols, Asst Coach Russ Nichols 124 N. MAIN STREET HEPPNER OR (541) 676-9481
